This week in the garden: Dec. 13 - 19

Mistletoe is easiest to see after tree leaves have fallen. Prune the branch with mistletoe a foot below the cluster to remove the parasite's roots. (Photo: UC IPM)

• Remove fallen camellia blossoms promptly to prevent petal blight on next year's flowers.
• Mistletoe is very difficult to control because reinfestation occurs from nearby infected trees. An infected branch must be removed at its points of origin and at least 1 foot below the cluster.

Pruning

• Wait to prune spring-flowering plants until after bloom - deciduous magnolias, spiraea, azaleas, and camellias.
• Do not apply any treatments to pruning cuts or other wounds, because these materials are ineffective and often detrimental to plant health.

Fertilizing

• No fertilization is recommended this month.

Planting

• Bare root plants started now, while they are dormant, will have the full advantage of the spring growing season and will be well established during the coming year.
• Bulbs, corms, tubers: cyclamen, dahlia.
• Fruits and vegetables: bare root cane berries, garlic, leek.

Enjoy now

• Annuals and perennials: dianthus, poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima), toadflax (Linaria maroccana), stock (Matthiola).
• Bulbs, corms, tubers: snowdrop (Galanthus), narcissus.
• Trees, shrubs, vines: camellia, Hawthorne (Crataegus).
• Fruits and vegetables: avocado, grapefruit, kumquat, pomegranate.

Things to ponder

• Look through garden books for landscaping ideas using drought-tolerant or water-wise plants.
• Avoid overhead watering if frost is expected.